“You call when you’re ready. Just click here, then here. The computer on the other end will show that there’s an incoming Skype call.”
“Thank you—I really mean it. Thank you.”
She was glad she’d taken the time to help Alexis. No one wanted anyone in their class to be booted, and Lucy hoped this temporary solution would help Alexis and her family.
Lucy packed her overnight bag and called Sean, letting him know she was free until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. He was already on his way. She needed the night off, to get away and clear her head.
She left her room and crossed the courtyard to the main building, but before she reached the security wing she found Rich Laughlin standing, as if waiting for her.
Of course that had to be her imagination.
“Kincaid,” he said with a nod. “Finding Agent Presidio like that must have been difficult for you.”
Kindness? From Laughlin?
“He was a terrific teacher. I’m going to miss—”
Laughlin cut her off. “He took a special interest in you. Why do you think that was?”
Lucy didn’t know the purpose of Laughlin’s question but she replied, “Maybe a kinship, since I’m the only new agent here with a master’s in criminal psychology.”
“That’s right—I forgot you were a psychologist.”
Lucy doubted that was the case.
“I figured because he and Chief Vigo were such good friends that Presidio was assessing you.”
“You said yourself opening day that all staff were constantly assessing new agents; never let our guard down, right?” She tried to speak lightly, but she intently monitored manner. There was something odd in his demeanor, an intensity that seemed unwarranted.
“Yes, I did. Keeps you all on your toes. But I think you know what I meant.”
Lucy didn’t, and she called him on it. “Agent Laughlin, I don’t know what you mean. I don’t understand what I did to irritate you. If you clue me in, I’ll fix it.”
“Maybe you want this too much. I just have to ask myself why.”
“Why I want to be an FBI agent?”
“Why you want it so badly.”
His pale eyes didn’t leave hers, and if this was a test, he was the perfect person to throw her off-kilter. But she stood her ground. Laughlin was essentially a bully, and bullies wanted their victims to cower. Lucy refused to let him make her a victim.
“Maybe I did before,” she said, looking him straight in the eye, “but not now. If something happens and I’m forced to leave, I have other options.” She wanted this because she’d been working toward becoming an FBI agent for the last seven years. Though the why was different now from when she first made the decision, it was no less important to her. And no way was she discussing her reasons with a man who disliked her.
“Leave? You’re a shoo-in.”
He scowled, and Lucy realized he knew something she didn’t, something that he wanted her to know. Every instinct in her body told her to smile and walk away, but she couldn’t.
She needed the truth.
“Shoo-in? Hardly. Though there is a ninety percent graduation rate, so I think the odds are in my favor.”
“The odds are stacked in your favor. But you know that.”
The truth suddenly shone through, and Lucy was almost relieved. It explained why Kate and Laughlin were arguing the other day. If Laughlin and Kate had a past during the first Adam Scott investigation, he would hate that Kate might have the power to get people privileges in the Bureau.
“I think you misunderstood. My sister-in-law didn’t pull strings for me. I told her I wanted to be here on my own merits, and she honored my request. I earned this slot. You can ask her.”
He tilted his head, a half smile on his face, but it wasn’t friendly. She was the canary; he was the cat.
“You can’t honestly tell me you didn’t know that both hiring panels rejected your application. Assistant Director Vigo himself stepped in and overruled them. Most of the new agents here are relatively anonymous; you already had a history when you arrived. Don’t be surprised if other people know exactly what I do.” He stepped toward her, only inches from her. It was almost impossible not to step back, but she forced herself to hold her ground.
Laughlin continued. “You got here because the powers that be want you here, not because you earned it.”
*
All Lucy had wanted was to do this on her own. To prove to her family, but mostly to herself, that she’d earned